Earlier in October 2009, the Maoists had used the same tactics by kidnapping and releasing the Officer-in-Charge, Sankrail, Atindranath Dutta in West Midnapore after a dozen arrested women Maoists sympathisers whose release was demanded, were freed.

"While this remains a missing person investigation, we strongly believe the persons closest to Poonam know what happened to her and where she is," Peel's Homicide Officer-in-Charge Insp. Norm English said.

With Buhain out and Officer-in-Charge, Commissioner Juan Ramon Guanzon not reporting to the office and the reported replacement for Buhain, Aurelio Lacson also not having reported as yet, the GAB is virtually headless at the moment and important issues such as that involving Condes remain un-acted upon.